Boston voters favor environmental proposals

A majority of Boston voters want the next mayor to prioritize renewable energy and increase recycling and composting, and nearly three quarters want City Hall to work with businesses and universities to increase funding for the MBTA, allowing an expansion of service on weekends and later at night.

A majority of Boston voters want the next mayor to prioritize renewable energy and increase recycling and composting, and nearly three quarters want City Hall to work with businesses and universities to increase funding for the MBTA, allowing an expansion of service on weekends and later at night.

A poll of 626 likely voters conducted by Sage Systems on behalf of the Environmental League of Massachusetts found environmental objectives are popular in Boston. The league’s poll, which found City Councilor John Connolly edging his mayoral opponent Rep. Martin Walsh by 40-36 with leaners, has been attempting to play a larger political role.

The group found support of between 58 and 60 percent for proposals to boost recycling rates with ideas such as pay-as-you-throw, to better shield the subway system from powerful storms and to prioritize renewable energy.

The poll had a 3.9 percent margin of error. The notion the next mayor should work with institutions to boost funding for more MBTA service and service later into the night won 72 percent approval.

Of the five questions released to the News Service, the recycling question had the most opposition, with 20 percent opposing it.